Your Education High School Exchanges Brochure 2020 YOUR EDUCATION BROCHURE | Page 7

"Going on an exchange is a big decision to make. It means
going to a different country and living with complete
strangers, as well as being thrust into a new culture with new
people. Before my exchange, I was nervous, scared, but I was
also excited to have the chance to experience something
entirely new.
My exchange started with a long 11-hour flight. After
arriving, I immediately travelled to my new school to meet
the other exchange students and go to class. This was a
nerve-wracking moment for me. As it turns out, all my
worrying was for nothing. My classmates were all super nice,
even if they were a little shy to begin with.
Then came the part I was most worried about - meeting my
host family. I think an important part of the relationship that
formed between my host family and me was willingness to
learn and communicate. Although there was a language
barrier, we all did our best to chat and talk about Japan and
New Zealand, or what interested us. I can say that I will really
miss my host family and although we only spent a short
amount of time together, we really bonded well, and I now
have another home in Japan.
SOCIAL HUB
Your new high school overseas will be the social
hub of your exchange. This is where you will
make new friends, not only with the local
students, but maybe with other international
students from around the world.
You will share stories and experiences, learn
together and forge lifelong bonds that will mean
you come back from your exchange with a social
circle of close friends situated all over the globe.
@YOUREDUCATIONABROAD
Japanese school was very different. At the school I went to,
there were seven periods in a day, and a 10-minute break
between classes, which I’m pretty sure everyone treated as
nap time. Club activities are also a daily thing. I would take
the bus and then train home on my own. Japanese transport
is very convenient and on time, although more expensive
than in New Zealand. The students in Japan also clean the
school themselves. This was a new thing for me since in New
Zealand I had gotten so used to cleaners cleaning the school.
I found that cleaning time was a time where I got to make
friends and talk with my classmates.
What I got from this experience was that you should always
give everything a go. I got to try so many new things in
Japan, some of which I liked, some of which I didn’t, but all in
all I’m glad I decided to try. Did I like sea cucumber? No. Was
I glad I tried it? Yes. Be open to new things, new foods, new
experiences. You never know if you’ll like it until you try.
Saying goodbye and leaving Japan was probably the hardest
part of my exchange. My host family truly treated me as a
member of their own family and made me feel welcome from
the first day. My friends and classmates in Japan were all
very kind and welcoming, even though they didn’t know me.
Amy went to Japan
@YOUREDUCATION.CO.NZ
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